Beet-topping apparatus



s. 1. WILSON.

BEET TOPPINC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 1l., 1919.

Patented Feb, 22, '1921,

S. 1. WILSON.

BEET TOPPIING APPARATUS.

- APPLICATION FILED IAN. II. I9I9.

1;369,721 Patented Feb.I 2 2, 1921;

-4 sIIEIgTvssIIEET 2.

5. I M73 on S. I. WILSON.

, am Torrano APPARATUS. APPucmol man um. n. isps.

Patented Fin-22, 1921.

S. J. WILSON.

BEET TOPPING VAPPARATUS. APPLlcATxoN man JAN. Il. 1919.

Patented Feb. .22, 1921i.

@SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Mw amt...

5, :ZIA/fasen atto/env@ vUNITED vsflfArEs AP-Ai'1rs1\1'1` OFFICE.'

SAMUEL J. WILSON, oF GREAT FALLS,I MONTANA, AssIeNon or `ONE-HALF BASINGER, or oLYDn, IDAIIO. v

TO PERRY BEET-TorPINe-APPARATUS. -i

-vSpecification of LettersPatent. Patented FQILQQ,

Application mea January 11, 1919.f serial No. 270391.V

To all whom t mag/concern.' Be it known that I SAMUEL J. WILSON, a citizen of the United tat'es, residing at Great Falls, in the county of Cascade and State of Montana, Ahave invented certain new and fuseful Improvements in Beet-Topping Apparatus, of which the'following is al specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. l

This invention relates to a beet topping apparatus, and it is an object of they invention to provide a novel and improved 'apparatus of this general character wherein the tops of the beets are removed before the beets have been lifted from the ground.

Another object of the invention is .to provide a novel and improved beet topping apparatus adapted tof be employed in con. nection with a beet harvesting machine, and which apparatus is positioned `in advance 1 of the beet lifting mechanism so that the tops i together with the crowns of the beets will v.be removed before the beets are taken from the ground. y Y

An additional object-of the invention 1s to provide a novel and: improved apparatus'of 'Q this type including a cutting means adapted to sever the crowns of the beets, together with a revolving lifting member engaging the severed crowns and rotating about the substantially horizontal axis.

v A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedl apparatus vof this kind embodying a cutting means and a revolving elevatingmeans for the, severed tops, together with means coactingwiththe revolving lifting member for.' dlsengaglng the severed.tops-therefrom'so that saidy severed tops may bedelivered tov a conveyer or rangement ofthe severalfpartsl of my improved beet topping apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more-convenient and advantageous vfor use, as will be hereinafterfmore fully set forth.

'Ihe novel features of my invention i hereinafter be definitely claimed. .f

In order that myinvention'may bethe bet-7'v ter understood, I will now'proceed to describev the same with reference to theaccompanying Y drawings, wherein: f

Figure l is a fragmentary view inside elevation with'a portion broken away illustrataccordance with an embodiment vof my invention; i.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view inv vertical section taken longitudinally of the device as illustrated. in Fig.' l, but on 'an lenlarged scale. f "1 .ing a beet topping apparatus constructed in l Fig. 3 isfalview in top plan with portions i broken away of the structure asfparticularly disclosed inFig. 2; f Y

partly in vertical section taken through the vertically swinging support: lframe as ineluded in my invention as herein disclosed, with certain ofthe parts carriedthereby disclosed in section;" f

Fig. 5 is a view in top plan of the portions oFf the device as particularly illustrated in 1g.4; 'A

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view. partly in section and partly in yelevation illustrating indetail a mountingifor oneend portion ofY of the shaft ofthe rotary elevating means; Fig. 7 is a, fragmentary view fpartly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a mounting for an end portion of the shaft of lso the rotary clearing member coacting with the rotary lifting member as herein disclosed; i Fig. 8 is a view in top4 plan of theV cutting orsevering member as herein employed, de'- tached; 'f f. F 1g. 9 1s la v1ew1n front elevation ofi one 'of the penetrating members carriedbyfthe rotary lifting member, said-jrotary lifting member being fragmentarily indicated vin- Asection; f

Figg 10 is a view inside elevation-of the penetrating member as disclosed "in Fig.9 ry

thej coasting portion of the rotary lifting member being also indicated in section; andl Fig. 11 is afragmentary viewl illustrating in top planthe closed in Fig. l

penetrating member as dis-j I I As disclosed in the accompanyingdrawi ig. 4 is aview partly in elevation and f ings, F denotes an'elongated frameof sub- 110.

stantially rectangular formadapted to be supported in a conventional manner at its opposite end portions for travel over the ground surface and preferably by wheels.

One ofthe supporting wheels 1Wisdisclosed` in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.. `The rear portion ofthe frame F is also indif cated to support a beet harvesting mechanism preferably of a type'disclosed in my priorV Patent No. 1,285,529, issued Nov. 19,

.a 1918.r vAs disclosed in Figs. 1, 2. and 3 of the accompanying drawings, 32 denotes the digging blades and 36 indicates a directing plow or shovel asv comprised in the machine as 'embodied in the disclosure of thaty patent.

The forward end portions of the side memfbers 1 of theframe F are connected by the transversely disposed member or beam 2. The member or beam 2 at its central portion .is provided with a pair of inwardly directed spaced brackets r3, and pivotally engaged with said brackets are the forward end por- Y tions of the side members 4 of avertically longitudinally ofthe frame F and the lower- 'Y so yat swinging frame S. The iframe S is disposed downwardly and rearwardly in a direction krsldfibly engaged an end portion of a shaft` 10. The shaft is disposedV in a direction 4transversecto'the frame F and i'ixedto said shaft 10 in longitudinal alinement with the digging blades v32 is a rotary liftingfmemy ber R. The member R isin close proximity tothe blades 32- and also in close proximity tobut free of contact with the ground Vlevel.

' vas is particularly illustrated in Figs.' 1f and f `2 of the accompanying drawings.

The member R is cylindrical in form and includestheannular rim'11`of a width to vextend outwardly of the blades 32 and radi- :ating from said rim 11 are the penetrating members M. v y

The members M comprise a plurality of series disposed transverselyof the rim 11,

said'series of members being equidistantly spaced with the members M' ofone series lstaggered with relation to the members of the adjacent series. As illustrated'in Figs.

Y9, 10, and 11,'each of the members M comprises a 'blade-12 having'its outer vend portion`114 pointed and with its opposite faces convex so that the edges of theblade 12arc substantially sharp." The inner orbase pon tion of the blade 12 at substantially its cen- Yter is provided with a 'shank 15- preferably square in cross section, and which snugly `fits withina correspondingly formed open-- ing 16 produced in the rim 11 of the member R. The outer portion 15 ofthe shank 15 is circular and has threaded' thereon a clamping nut 17 which coacts with the inner or under face o-f the rim 11 to effectually maintain the member M in applied position. As is particularly illustrated in. Figs. 10 and 11 the edges of the blade 12 are disposed in a direction substantially at rightangles to the axis of the member R or more particularly the shaft 10. The outeryor pointed extremity 14 of the blade 12isA provided with the outwardly and oppositely directed lips 18 each preferably substantially inthe form o-f'an inverted triangle with the freeV edges thereof sliarp ened.- The lips 18 are alsov disposed ina direction longitudinally Vof the member R or in a direction transversely of the frame F.

An end portion of the shaft 10 has aflixed thereto a sprocket wheel 19 -around which is directed a'chain20 adapted to be driven in any desired manner by rotating part of the beet harvestin machine not shown It will also be understood that any means may bey employed for rotating the shaft 10 The rearor lower ends of the side vmembers 4 of the swinging frame S are provided with the extensions 21, and engaged with' Yendl portion of therod 22 isA provided with an enlarged eye 24 whichisengaged with an extension 21 and interposed vbetween saidI eye 24 and the transversely disposed 'me'mber yorbeamy 23 is anexpansible m'ember'25 herein disclosed as a coiled spring encircling lsaidrod, and which serves tov urgeldownwardly the rear portion vofthe vframe S' but permits a yielding upward swinging movement thereof. n y v Each of the rods 22 'hasengaged with the upper end portion. thereof and above the member ory beam 23a sto-p 26 Lherein disclosed vas a'nut and coacting washer, and whichV stop Vserves Vto limit the downward movement of the rod 22 andf'consequently regulated by imparting longitudinalmove' ment to thecoacting Izod 22 relative to the member or beam 23, and which1 adjustment maybe accomplishedby a requisite turning movementof the stop 26. v j' Each of the upstandingarms 7" is provided with an inwardly directed 4bracket 27 having adjustably engaged therewith Vand positioned therebeneath a plate l28.y 'Interposed between the p1a`te'28 andthe adja-v `whiclrmeets the requirements of practice. t

the downward swingingl movementA of the y 'frame S. It will be 'self evident that vthe tension of each of theV members 25 may be cent bearing 29 for the shaft 10 is an 'eX- pansible member 30 herein disclosed as a coiled spring, and which serves to constantly urge the shaft 10 or more particularly the bearing 29 toward the lowerk end of the slot 9 in the adjacent depending arm 6, whereby therotary liftingmember R is further supported for yielding vertical movement and independently ofthe swinging frame S.

31 denotes a downwardly and forwardly curved apron provided at its opposite ends withthe upwardly directed flanges 32 suitably anchored to the inner or opposed faces of the side members 4 of the swinging frame S whereby'theV apronI 31 is, held in -desired position.4 Thevcentral portion of the apron 31 at its upper edge is provided with arearwardly directed extensionl 31 having its sides provided with 'the upstanding guard iianges 33, and the free or rear portion of the extension 31 centrally thereof is provided with the resilientteeth or vvtines 34 which contact with the periphery of therim llof the member R between the members M radiating from said member R for a purpose which will be hereinafter ,more particularly referred to. Y

The forward or lower end marginal portion of the apron 3ll is engaged with a side board 35 cfa transversely disposed conveyer frame C andalfords a means for maintaining said' conveyer frame C inV applied position. Y

The second side board 36 of the frame C has engaged therewith the hangers 37 depending from the side members 4 ofthe swinging frame S, and which hangers afford additional means for. maintaining the conveyer frame C in applied position.

The conveyer frame C is positioned below the side 'members 4 of the swinging frame S and is of a length to terminate beyond the opposite sides of the frame S. 38 denotes an endless carrying belt traveling between the side boards 35 and 36, and upon the upper stretch of which the apron 31 discharges. The belt 38 is directed around a drum 39 rotatably supported by the side boards 35 and 36 adjacent each end thereof, and the supporting shaft 40'v for one of the drums 39 has aiiiXed thereto a gear 41 meshing with a bevel gear 42 arranged atthe lower'end portion of a vertically disposed shaft 43 supported by an upstanding bracket 44 carried by the inner side board 35 so that upon requisite rotation of the shaft 43 proper iravel will be imparted to the carrying elt 38.

Each of the side members 4 of the swing-v which `is disposed a belt 52 lwhich is also.'

directed-around a pulley 53 aiiiXed to `the shaft l0. As is particularly illustratedpin Figs. 1 and y3 it is tobe noted that the .belt 52 is crossed. so that the shafts r10 and 48 will be caused lto rotate in unison but in reverse directions.v y .e l AHiXed to the shaft 48 substantially mid-j way between the side members 4 of the frame S is a clearing member A. The member A is cylindrical inform, and is of a lengthto extend beyond the opposite sides of the teeth or'wtines 34 and the periphery of said memberis provided with a series of longitudinally disposed and equidistantly 4spaced calks 54 which come into close proximity to vthe apron 31 and its extension 31 during the rotation'of the member A.

, Each of the-bearings 4 7 of the shaft 48 has engaged therewith the upper extremity of a retractile member 55, and the oppo-I site portion of said member `is suitably-V anchored toa side member 4 of the frame S so that the shaft 48 vis constantly urged downwardly yet is vpermitted to have upward yielding movement as the necessitiesof practice may require and vfor a purpose which will be hereinaftery more particularly referred to. Depending from theside members 4 ofthe swinging frame S at appoint between the arms Gand the conveyer frame C,l are the` arms 56. Adjustably engaged with each of the arms 56 lis the upper end portion of the vertically disposed shank 57 provided at its lower end portion with the rearwardly disposed and inwardly inclined cutting blade 58, and which blade'is substantially horizontal.

f The blades 58 are of a length to terminatev rearwardly of the center of the member R 1witih their extremities substantially in con- In practice the cutting blades 58 contact with the ground and are arranged at opposite sides of a row of beets, and as the device advances the blades 58 cut into the crowns of the beets from both sides, and about the time a crown is completely severed the same is penetrated by one or more members M of the member R at a point slightly in advance of the vertical center of the member. The severed crown is carried upwardly by the member R and after the crown has passed over the vertical center of the member R it is engaged by certain of the teeth or tines 34 and released from the member R. The released crown then travels over the apron 31 and is delivered upon the belt 38 and carried to one side of the device. The release of a crown from a member M is further facili-- tated by the clearing member A due to the direction of travel of said member A, and which loperation is further facilitated by the calks 54. The member A further operates to facilitate and assure the delivery of a crown upon the belt 38.' The guard flangesBS particularly serve to assure delivery upon the extension 31 of the apron 31 of straggling v atonceself evident that the requisite cutting action is provided irrespective of the sizeof the beet. It is also to be stated that the larger the beet in diameter the greater the projection above the ground, and therefore upward movement of the swinging frame S and the similar movement of the member R is of advantage, as the member R will be permitted readily to rise in accordance with the occasions of' practice. This is also of advantage because the greater the diameter of the beet the stronger a mem# berM will contact with the crown before the complete severance thereof. It will therefore be at once self evident that with my improved device the diameter of the beet y itself determinesthe amount of top out off.

From the foregoing description, it` is thought to be obvious that a beet topping apparatus' constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for usel by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some kchange and modification without departing fromV the principles and spirit thereof, and for this l reason I do notvwish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in prac-v supported above the apron, and means for Y. y

driving saidclearing member, said clearing member having vertical movement independl ently of its driving means.

'2. A machine of the class described includ-v ingra frame supported for vertical move# ment, lifting means supported by the frame,

a conveyer carried by-the frame, an apron supported by the frame and discharging A. upon the'pconveyer, the lifting means'discharging upon the apron, clearingmeans carried bythe frame above the apron, means for driving the clearing means, and an'operative connection between the clearing means and the conveyer whereby the conveyer 'is operated by the clearing means. Y i

In testimony whereof I hereunto afIiX my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

- SAMUEL JgWILsori.

Witnesses: 'I i J. J .l MILCH, ILA. PREsco'r'r. y 

